Hey A.T. ,
Check out Sena's website (
http://www.senabluetooth.com/products/index.php) , they actually have a version designed specifically for half helmets. I do not think it is just a matter of a different mount though. The model for the half helmet is SPH10H. The website says it is "new", and the controls are considerably different looking than those on the SMH10 that we have. 2smokes is right though about there being a few different mounts available for the full face version. They have one where you can use a wired mic instead of a boom mic (i'm actually thinking about one of these because the boom is kinda uncomfortable when I push the boom mic up inside the helmet in front of my mouth.)
They also make a mount where you can change out both the type of mic as well as the type of speakers. I've also been considering a good set of noise cancelling earphones that might improve upon an already great device.
I was having this discussion with a couple other raider riding friends here in FL recently. I got the SMH-10 dual set last summer so I could ride with my wife and we could talk or listen to music. She plugs her ipod nano straight into hers using an aux jack in the back of the unit. She really enjoys it. I stream pandora straight from my phone via bluetooth. And, either of us can put our music on hold and initiate talking to each other just by tapping the big jog dial and waiting a second. All the cords you could possibly need are included btw. They include an AC adapter, a 12v adapter, and an aux input cable (standard stereo tips) with BOTH headsets...so i you get a dual kit like mine....two of EVERYTHING. Very nice touches.
We went to bike week a few weeks ago, and she forgot her patch cord for the nano, so we talked the whole time. It was actually really handy, and we didn't have any issue with battery life all day. That may not always be a "good" thing, as some of the guys have pointed out.
I've been very pleased with the setup, but I can't say I've put it thru a ton of use. Most of the time, it only gets used to stream music while I'm going to or from work (about 140 miles/day).
One of the nicest things about Sena was that they decided to start using micro usb jacks for charging and for allowing firmware upgrades. With as many units from other manufacturers talking about revision after revision, I was pleased that they designed it to be upgradable from the beginning. There have already been several software enhancements and updates released over the last year...I believe they are about to release the 4th one.
My one issue with the headset (and its not fair to single out Sena, because it is a limitation of the android operating system of my phone - so it would be the same with any manufacturer's headset) is that the bluetooth voice activation is about impossible to use. I have a Droid Bionic, and when I press the phone button on the headset, it launches a Motorola program for voice activation instead of the much more powerul, useful, and accurate Android program thru google. There are ways to screw around with it, but i haven't found anything real successful so far.
As far as headsets go tho, I don't think you can do any better at the moment. However, there is a new Cardo Scala unit that is supposed to start shipping within the next month or two that will possibly up the ante. It is called the G9 (their current one is called a G4) All I've seen are tech reviews of it from gear shows so far, but it will also offer the firmware upgradability that I'm such a sucker for, while allowing you to pair the units much easier to each other (just by literally tapping them together) to include more riders. Bear in mind that the one MAJOR flaw to all of these systems are that they do not have any interoperable standards yet..... which means, you can have the biggest and baddest MOST EXPENSIVE headset made, but if you're using a Sena, and your riding buddy is using a Scala, you can hang it up. There's no pairing between manufacturers. That part (to me) REALLY blows !
And, while we're talking about expense....the SMH10 dual set was purchased the first week of June last year thru a company called "The Cycle Bots". I paid $299 with free shipping. I looked up the half helmet version just now....they have it only in single units for $186, but an interesting note is that it can be paired with the SMH10's, so if your riding buddies have the SMH10 or your better half is riding full face with an smh10, they will all work to conference together. A single SMH10 by comparison is $165.
The Scala G9 that I mentioned above (due out May 1st according to cyclebots' website) will be going for $420 (dual set), and $269 (single). Do I think it will be worth the difference. Not on specs alone I don't. But, as I mentioned, the only reviews I've read/watched so far are from gear shows. I haven't seen any in depth reviews based on full on testing yet.
One major point to be made AGAINST the Cardo Scala G9 coming in May (in your case) is that there is NO half helmet option listed.
One last note about what I'm looking at on the SENA website...their half helmet design says it can be worn "without" a helmet also. That might offer some cool potential as well. It looks like it comes with one of those bands that wraps around the back of your neck and comes over the tops of your ears.
Long winded, I know. Sorry about that. Nutshell, don't wait for the Scala G9 because it won't have what you need for a half helmet, but feel CONFIDENT looking at the SENA units as I have read TONS of reviews from average people like us, and we all love it. Its cheaper, its upgradable, and most importantly...the new SPH10H has everything our SMH10's do, but is made specifically for half helmets.
